That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 35 — Cookies

Matagal na hindi nakahanap ng reaksiyon si Clementine. Hindi niya akalain na ang rason ng paghihiwalay nila Quentin at Cressida ay tungkol doon.

“Did Angela know about the baby? Or the Decernas?” she asked.

Umihip ang hangin. Quentin sighed and shook his head.

“No. I don’t talk about this to anyone because she asked me to keep it as a secret to our graves.” sagot ni Quentin.

Tumango si Clementine. She held his hand and squeezed it. She thought that she will go berserk upon hearing it but it’s surprisingly shocking to be this calm.

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” she said to comfort it.

Nilingon siya ni Quentin. His eyes were bloodshot. It was painful for him to open up about this.

“If you promised to keep it to your grave… Why did you tell me?” tanong ni Clementine.

Quentin licked his lower lip and looked at her. Clementine did the same. No one backed down.

“It was already in the past, Clementine. I don’t love her anymore. I already forgave her. And I don’t know why but I trust you.” he answered with so much honesty.

Gustong maniwala ni Clementine na nagsisinungaling ito but his eyes weren’t and the way he moved… it was really the truth.

She just stared at him, her heart suddenly felt the warmth with his sincere answer. That’s the first time that someone said he trust her.

“Aren’t you going to get mad?” tanong ni Quentin sa kaniya matapos ang ilang sandaling pananahimik.

Umiling si Clementine.

“No. Thank you for your trust. I understand. I can sympathize with your child. I know how it feels to be left out by your parent.” she said.

Lumunok si Quentin.

“Your father loves you, Senyorita.” he said.

“He’s doing what’s best for you.” he continued.

“He is not here, Quentin. Stop defending your boss.” she said sarcastically.

Umiling si Clementine. Kahit ilang beses pa sabihin ng kung sino iyon, she cannot accept that. Not when no one knew what she’s been through.

“I was so scared when he sent me to America alone after my mother’s death. All my life, si Mommy lang ang kasama ko.” she confessed.

A tear fell out of her left eye.

“I learned how to live alone. And then look where I am right now… miserable in San Lucas.” she said and smiled bitterly.

Tumango si Quentin.

“You’re not alone now. I am here.” he said.

Ngumiti si Clementine. Bumaling silang dalawa sa dagat. Quentin exhaled. Clementine felt his caloused palm moving so he can hold her hand and intertwined their fingers.

Hindi iyon sinaway ni Clementine. He let him and tightened her grip. The sun finally set. Nilamon ng dilim ang paligid. Binuhay ni Quentin ang headlight ng kaniyang truck.

They enjoyed simple dinner before they went home together. Clementine felt better. Magkahawak kamay sila sa biyahe. Hindi niya iyon inalintana.

When the gate opened, sinalubong sila ng ambulansiya na papalabas. Clementine’s fear crept into her whole spine.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Quentin.

“W-What happened?” tanong niya.

Alam niya kung ano iyon pero hindi niya maiwasang magtanong. Nagbabakasakali siya na hindi iyon totoo. Bumaling si Quentin sa guard. Malapit lang sila pero hindi niya maintindihan ang mga sinasabi ng mga ito.

Nanlalamig siya. Quentin reversed his car. Humarurot ito at sinundan ang direksyon ng ambulansya.

“Don Wilfedo has a fever, Senyorita. He needs to be confined.” paliwanag ni Quentin.

With stage 4 cancer, napaka-delikado magkaroon ng lagnat. She put her hands on her face. She cannot cry. Nanginginig ang mga palad niya.

“Do you think he is going to be fine, Quentin?” tanong niya.

Nilingon siya ni Quentin.

“He will be fine. Do not worry.” sagot ni Quentin.

The ride to the hospital was excruciating. She did not wait to park his car. Agad siyang bumaba sa San Lucas Hospital.

“Wilfredo Diogracia,” sabi niya sa counter.

Nagulat ang babaeng nurse sa kaniya. Pumasok na rin si Quentin bago pa man ito makapagtanong kay Clementine.

“Quentin,” tawagg ng nurse. Sumulyap ito kay Clementine, “Si Don Wilfredo ba?”

Tumango si Quentin. Tinuro ng nurse ang direksyon ng emergency room. They cannot go inside kaya naroon lang sila sa glass doors.

Sumalampak si Clementine sa mga upuan doon. She put her face on her both hands. Umupo sa kaniyang tabi si Quentin. Hinagod nito ang likuran ng dalaga.

Don Wilfredo cannot be cured anymore at this time. Ang mga treatment na ginagawa ng doktor ay para madugtungan na lang ang buhay nito.

They waited for an hour. Sinalubong sila ni Pablo.

“Kumusta si Don Wilfredo, Pablo?” tanong ni Quentin.

Tinanggal ni Pablo ang kaniyang stethoscope at ngumiti sa kaibigan.

“He’s fine and stable. Simpleng lagnat lang but he still need to stay here for observation. You may go home because he requested no visitors.” he explained at ngumiti kay Clementine.

Tumango si Quentin. Tinapik ni Pablo ang balikat ni Quentin at marahan na pinisil ang braso ni Clementine. She smiled for a bit. Umalis na si Pablo dahil sa tawag ng isa sa mga nurse.

“Let’s go home, Clementine. You should rest. May exams ka pa bukas.” Quentin said.

Tumango si Clementine at lumunok. Hindi niya akalain na ganito ang mangyayari. She felt that it’s too soon. Hindi na sila masiyadong nagkakasama ng ama.

She really wanted to stay at the hospital but she knew her father so well. Hindi ito papayag na manatili siya roon. Don Wilfredo never showed any sign of weakness to anybody.

Umuwi silang dalawa. Kahit papano. She felt relieved. Naligo siya at nanatili na sa kuwarto. She needed to refresh her memory for the exams. Balak niyang mag-review ng kaunti pero walang pumapasok sa isipan niya.

After five minutes of forced reading, tumayo na siya at sinikop ang mga libro na hawak niya. Binuksan niya ang pintuan at dumiretso sa silid ni Quentin. Tatlong beses siyang kumatok doon.

He opened the door. Bagong ligo siya at tanging shorts lang ang suot. He’s drying his hair with a towel.

“Bakit?” tanong ni Quentin, nag-aalala.

Lumunok si Clementine at nag-iwas ng tingin. She realized what it looked like. She was wearing her satin lingerie dress while he's topless. Tiningnan niya ng diretso sa mata si Quentin.

“Can I stay here for tonight?” tanong niya sa binata at pumikit, “I just cannot be alone. My mind is really crowded right now.”

Kinagat ni Quentin ang kaniyang labi at mas binuksan ang pintuan. Clementine went inside. Pumunta siya sa study table ng binata at umupo roon. She saw that his laptop was open and there were highlighted documents.

“Are you studying?” tanong niya.

Umupo sa kama si Quentin at tumango.

“Oo. Para iyan sa organic farm.” sagot nito at seryosong pinapanood ang dalaga.

Clementine nodded. Humarap na siya ng tuluyan sa binata.

“I want to know everything about the hacienda, Quentin. I want to work in the mills. I want to know from the start.” she said.

“Okay. Just know that you’ll be very busy and you will have no time for leisure once it starts so…” paliwanag ni Quentin.

Clementine knew about that. It’s just she really needs to cope up with her promise to her father.

“I know. I can do it, Quentin.” she said.

Tumango si Quentin at marahan na ngumiti.

“We will do that, then.” nakangiting sabi ni Quentin.

Clementine looked at her books. Quentin got his things and decided to do it in the bed, para mabigyan ng espasyo si Clementine sa pag-aaral.

He watched her back. She’s serious and far from her usual spoiled attitude. He knew that something was bothering her.

“Are you okay, Clementine?” tanong ni Quentin.

Hindi lumingon ang dalaga sa kaniya at tumango.

“Yeah. Just reading.” aniya.

Quentin did not push it through. Hinayaan niyang magbasa ito hanggang sa nakatulog na ito sa kaniyang desk.

It’s already 12 am. Tumigil na si Quentin sa pagtatrabaho. He closed his laptop and looked at the serene sleeping face of Clementine.

He smiled as she fixed her hair.

“Mukhang anghel ‘pag tulog.” he murmured.

Binuhat niya ang dalaga para ihiga ito sa kama. She covered her with his blanket. Nahiga na rin siya sa tabi ni Clementine.

She turned to her side that made them face-to-face. Quentin cannot move. Parang hinihigop ni Clementine ang lakas niya.

Hindi nakakasawang panoodin ang natutulog na si Clementine. Nakaawang ang mapupulang labi. Perpekto ang ilong at mahahaba ang pilikmata niya.

Hindi na namalayan ni Quentin na nakatulog na rin siya sa pagod. He woke up when the rays of sun hit his face.

Nakangiwi niyang tinakpan iyon at minulat ang mga mata. She looked at Clementine. Nakayakap na ito sa kaniya at may mga munting hilik na tumatakas sa kaniyang bibig. Her head was resting on his bare chest.

There was a knock on the door. Hindi pa man nakakabawi si Quentin, bumukas na ang pintuan.

Angela was standing there. Laglag ang panga niyang nakatingin kay Quentin at Clementine na magkatabi sa kama.

“A-Angela!” tawag ni Quentin na nahimasmasan.

Quentin quickly removed Clementine’s arms on him. Umungol si Clementine. She just turned her back and continued sleeping like a baby.

“Hindi ito katulad ng iniisip mo. We just fell asleep, that’s all.” paliwanag ni Quentin.

Angela shook her head and slammed the door. Sa lakas noon, Clementine woke up. Agad siyang bumangon.

“What was that?” tanong niya.

Bumangon si Quentin at agad na humanap ng t-shirt.

“Angela saw us. I will find her and explain. She possibly misunderstood us.” sabi ni Quentin at mabilis na lumabas.

Clementine watched the door closed. She just stood up and go back to her room to prepare. Wala siyang pakialam sa kahit na anong iniisip ni Angela.

They’re already adults. Hindi na sila bata para balewalain ang mga ganitong posibleng mangyari. She went down to the kitchen and saw Angela.

May dala itong sinangag. Galit ang mukha at nagngingitngit ang mga panga nito sa kaniya.

“What?” tanong niya kay Angela at hinila ang upuan niya.

She poured some coffee on her mug. Hinalo niya iyon at ininom.

“Ang landi landi mo,” Angela whispered.

Clementine stopped drinking her coffee. She just looked at Angela.

“Watch what you’re saying. Nasa pamamahay pa rin kita, Angela.” banta niya.

Angela did not have the chance to speak up dahil dumating na rin si Manang dala ang mga pagkain. Nilapag ito ng matanda sa mesa. Quentin entered the dining.

Nakaligo na ito. Madilim at seryoso ang mukha nito. He cleared his throat when he sat down.

“Kumain na tayo,” sabi niya.

They ate in silence. Clementine had nothing to say and there’s obviously tension between the siblings.

"Melba, samahan mo ako sa labas para magsampay ng mga damit. Wala si Isay, namamalengke." sabi ni Manang kay Melba na kakatapos lang magsalin ng juice.

Umalis si Manang at Melba. Sila lang tatlo ang natira roon. Nagdadabog at halos nagmamadali si Angela sa pagkain. Quentin cannot hold it anymore.

“Angela,” tawag ni Quentin. “Stop acting like that.”

Umirap si Angela.

“I should be the one saying that, Kuya.” sabi ni Angela at pinandilatan ang kapatid.

Ito ata ang unang pagkakataon na nakita ni Clementine na galit na galit si Angela kay Quentin. She’s always this respectful little sister.

“Ano na lang ang sasabihin ni Don Wilfredo, Kuya? Hindi ka nababagay sa kaniya dahil mahirap lang tayo!” sabi ni Angela.

Tumahimik si Quentin. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa kaniyang kubyertos. Clementine cannot help it.

“Ano ang gusto mo iparating? Na matapobre ang daddy ko?” tanong niya.

Nilingon siya ni Angela.

“Oo, bakit hindi ba? Ikaw din naman, ah? Lahat kayong mayayaman…” sinabi niya na puno ng sarkasmo.

“Hindi ganiyan ang Daddy ko.” giit ni Clementine, "If he's matapobre, hindi niya patitirahin ang basurang gaya mo sa mansiyon na ito." she argued.

“Clementine, Angela, tama na! Mali ang nasa isip mo. We just fell asleep, nothing more.” saway ni Quentin.

“Sana nga, kuya. It’s not right to play with her. You know her family. They were murderers—“

“Angela! Shut up!” pigil ni Quentin sa kapatid.

It was louder and in controlled voice. Angel stopped but her jaws tightened. Clementine butted in.

“Oh, please! Nothing happened between me and your brother, Angela. Don’t tell me ganiyan ka sa mga magiging girlfriend ng kapatid mo?” tanong niya.

Umiling si Angela.

“I cannot accept you as my brother’s girlfriend, Clementine. You will just play with him and dump him when it’s not convenient for you anymore.” she said and walked out.

“Sh*t, Angela!” tawag ni Quentin at sinundan ang kapatid.

Clementine cannot move. She was so shocked. Mahigpit ang hawak niya sa tinidor niya. Manang entered. She had to act that everything’s normal.

“Nasaan ang magkapatid, hija?” tanong ni Manang.

Clementine faked a smile.

“Nasa labas, Manang. Angela had a thing with student council kaya nauna na sila.” she said and kissed her cheeks, “I got to go na rin po.”

She saw that Quentin’s pickup truck wasn’t there anymore. Siguro ay nauna na sila. It’s a good thing. Wala rin namang balak sumabay si Clementine sa kanila at baka hindi siya makapagtimpi at masampal niya si Angela.

She hailed a tricycle to school. Mas maraming importante siyang bagay na kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin.

She walked to the classroom where she will take the test. Nakita niya roon si Angela sa loob na kausap ni Meddie. She’s not on her usual mood.

Masama ang tingin na pinukol nito sa kaniya. She was about to enter when Frances held her hand. Gulat na binalingan ni Clementine iyon.

“What?” tanong niya.

She looked flustered. Hingal na hingal si Frances at may dalang paperbag.

“Nag-bake si Mama ng cookies. Napadami kaya naisip ko na bigyan ka.” naka-ngiti nitong sabi sa kaniya.

Bahaw ang ngiti niya sa kaibigan. Tumango siya at tinanggap iyon. She can feel that everyone’s eyes especially Angela’s were watching them.

Lumapit si Frances para bumulong. Naestatwa siya sa kinatatayuan niya.

“Nagdala rin ako para kay Quentin. I made a love letter. Sana magustuhan niya. Can you help me na mapapunta siya sa rooftop sa lunch time?” tanong niya.

Napawi ang ngiti ni Clementine.

Frances will confess. She swallowed and nodded.

Ngumiti si Frances at pumalakpak na.

“Good. Sige na aalis na ako! Good luck sa exam!” she said.

Pinanood niyang mawala si Frances sa hallway. She sighed and walked. Dahil nasa tabi ng daan ang upuan ni Angela she heard her sarcastic whispers,

“I can’t wait na malaman niya ang totoo. Poor Frances.” sabi ni Angela at ngumisi sa kaniya.